COTTON CULTURE. 35 



was put upon the market in 1860, when a few were sold. 

 Orders now coming from localities where these were sent, 

 in absence of other testimony, indicate that it gives some 

 satisfaction. The seed, as it comes from the gin, is put 

 into the conical hopper and distributed with considerable 

 uniformity, though in rather large quantity, by curved 

 arms revolving on the bottom and pressing the seeds out 

 through openings in the base of the cone, whence they 

 are conducted by a funnel to the drill, which is opened and 

 covered by the machine in its passage. 



The best mode of planting and cultivating a cotton crop, 

 implements and all considered, may be briefly described 

 as follows ; it being understood that the land is capable 

 of producing a bale to the acre with the season favorable. 



Break up the whole surface early in March, and bed up 

 for the rows, placing them four or four and a half feet apart. 

 On the first of April, run a small harrow along the top of 

 the bed, follow it by a triangular piece of wood that will 

 make a straight, well defined trench, and drop the seeds, 

 after being soaked in a fertilizing mixture and rolled in 

 ashes and plaster, at intervals of two or three inches ; 

 cover with a board that shall leave a smooth, rounded 

 surface. 



When the third leaf appears, use a Shanghai plow or 

 some similar implement that will straddle the row, and 

 clean away the grass and weeds on both sides at once. 

 Let the hoes follow, cutting out to a stand, and use sweeps 

 or light plows in breaking out the middles. 



Go over the crop once in fifteen days with the plow, and ' 

 follow with the hoe, if necessary, till the plant is so far 

 grown that the branches begin to interlock across the 

 middles. Then " lay by." Your crop is assured unless 

 damaged or destroyed by the boll worm or the army worm, 

 or killed by a premature frost. 



